Ham-holder.



J. F. SALCHU.

HAM HOLDER.

APPLICATION mm was 2|. l9l6.

1 1 99,500 Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

JOHN" F. SALCHLI, OF FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY.

HAM-HOLDER." 1 i Specification of Letters Patent. Patel lted Sept. 26,1916.

Application filed June 21, 1916. Serial No. 104,868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. SALCHLI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Frankfort, in the county of Franklin, State of Kentucky, have invented a new and use .ful Ham-Holder, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates 'toapparatus designed to hold a cooked ham in a favorable position for slicing.

In hotels, restaurants, and other places 'where boiled, or baked ham is served, the

end thereof with one hand, manipulate the carving knife with the other, meantime turning the ham slowly.

An object of this invention is to provide means whereby a ham' may be supported in afavorable position for slicing and rigidly held against any movement except such as will assist in the slicing operation.

A furtherv object is the provision of means of the character set forth which will be economical in construction, eflicient in operation and durable in service.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, wherein is set forth an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that such changes and modifications may beresorted to as come within the scope of the claims appended hereunto.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein similar reference characters designate like parts in the several'views, Figure 1, isa perspective view of my improved device, a ham held by same being shown in dotted lines: Fig. 2, a vertical section on line 2 of Fig. 1: Fig. 3, a perspective view of one of the upright members: and Fig. 4, a perspective view of one of the side members.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated herewith comprises a base 1 adapted to be placed upon a suitable support, such as a table, or stand, and be retained in place thereon bysuitable means such as a C clamp 2 which is provided with a screw 3 which may be contacted with the underside of the table. The upper surface of the base is provided with a plurality of marginal serrations, or ratchet teeth 4. A platform 5 rests upon the base, and is provided with a plurality of serrations, or ratchet teeth 6 which cooperate with the ratchet teeth on the base topermit the platform to turn in one direction only. The platform is held in rotatable relationship to the base by means of a central bolt 7-, this bolt has sufficient vertical play to permit the ratchet teeth on the platform to ride over the teeth in the base as the platform is turned in the only permissible direction. Withdrawal of the bolt 7 is prevented by suitable means such as a pin -8.

A pair of laterally movable clamping members 9- and 10 are pivotally mounted on the upper surface of the platform b suitable means such as a screw 11. The outer, or free ends of these members have suitable means, such as a bolt l2, provided with a thumb nut 13-, by means of which they can be se curely clamped about the small, or hock end 15, of a ham, they being suitably contoured to fit thereabout. Suitable means are provided to prevent lateral movement of the members when clamped together, as illustrated this means comprises a post 16-'- extended from the platform and lying be tween the two members. Staples 17 disposedon the edges of the platform at diametrically opposed points, preferably in alinement with the screw 11 and post 16, provide means whereby supporting members -18, 19- maybe movably connected to the platform. Hooks 20 on the lower ends of the supporting members provide means of engagement with the staples. These supporting members are shaped to conform, roughly, with the contour of the edge of the lower portion of a ham, and extend upward approximately half the height of a ham. The supporting member 18 is provided at its upper end with means for connection therewith of a pair of holding members 21. As illustrated the connecting means between the member 18 and the members 21, comprise a pair of vertical slots -22- at the upper end of the member 18,

and a recurved portion, or hook 23- on one end of each of the members 21, adapted to be inserted in said slots. The members 21 are contoured to conform, roughly, to the sides of a ham, and may be provided on their inner sides with a plurality of spurs -2 l+ adapted to be engaged in the ham and prevent any shifting thereof. The member 19 has a T shaped head 25 having on its upper surface a plurality of recesses -26 in which the free ends of the holding members 21 may be placed, to hold them against the ham. Notches 27 near the free ends of the holding member are to be engaged with the body of the head after the member is inserted in a slot.

In preparing my device for service, a ham is stood on its small end, or hook, in the center of the platform, the clamping members 9, 10, brought into contact therewith and secured by means of the bolt 12. The supporting members are placed in position by inserting the hooks 20 in the staples 17. The holding members 21 are then connected with the upright 18, by inserting the hooks 23 in the slots The holding mem bers are then swung into contact with the ham and the free ends thereof engaged in the slots 26in the upper end of the upright 19. The slicing may then be proceeded with, the operator holding a knife in a horizontal position and drawing it through the ham from the side opposite the operator, toward the bone. After each cut, the ham may be slightly turned, so that the ham will be cut away equally all around.

Having thus described my invention so that anyone skilled in the art pertaining thereto may make and use the same, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a base, a pair of clamping members mounted thereon, supporting elements detachably engaged therewith,.a pair of holding members in pivotal engagement with one of said elements and means for connecting said members with the other of said elements.

2. In a device of the character described, a platform provided with oppositely disposed peripheral slots, uprights removably positioned in said slots, one of said uprights being provided with a plurality of slots,

laterally movable members detachably en-- gaged in said slots, and means for connectmeans for connecting said members in look ing engagement with the other of said uprights.

4:- In a device of the character described, a base, a platform rotatably mounted thereon, means to prevent retrograde movement thereof, uprights removably positioned on said platform, laterally movable members connected with one of said uprights, the other of said uprights having a plurality of notches, or recesses adapted to receive said members, said members being provided near their free ends with notches adapted to engage with the upright at the bottom of said recesses.

5. In a device of the character described, a base, a platform rotatably mounted thereon, means to prevent retrograde movement thereof, means carried by said platform adaptedto be seized on the hook end of a ham, and means detachably engaged with said platform and adapted to be engaged with the ham intermediate its length.

6. In a ham holder, a base provided with ratchet teeth on its upper surface, a platform rotatably mounted thereon having ratchet teeth adapted to cooperate with those of the base and means carried by said platform for holding a ham in a favorable position for slicing.

"7. In a ham holder, a base provided with ratchet teeth on its upper surface, a plat form rotatably mounted thereon, means for centering a ham on the platform and means connected to the platform for grasping the ham intermediate its length.

8. In a ham holder, a base provided with ratchet teeth on its upper surface, a platform rotatably mounted thereon, means connected with said platform cooperating with said teeth to prevent retrograde movement of the platform, means for centering a ham on the platform and means connected to the platform for grasping the ham intermediate its length.

JOHN F. SALOHLI.

copies of this patent may be obtained is: five cents each, by addrcaiu the Gomnhduor Qt latent. 'ashhzton, I. Q. 

